Conducting Scientific Research in Mexico

All scientific research or collection of specimens by
foreign scientists in Mexico requires prior approval by the Mexican government.
Do not begin your research or collection within areas under Mexican
jurisdiction without the permission of the Mexican government through the
Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE).

Obtaining a Research Permit

The Mexican government requires that all permits for
research by foreign scientists be processed through their respective Embassies
in Mexico. Therefore, all requests from U.S. scientists or institutions must be
forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. If the research requires the use
of a research vessel in Mexican territorial waters, scientists should first consult
the Department of State in Washington: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/ocns/opa/rvc/index.htm

When a research application is submitted to the Department
of State or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, it is passed to SRE. SRE
coordinates the review and approval process for the Mexican government. The
appropriate Mexican technical agencies review applications for research
permits, but only the SRE has the authority to grant final official approval.
Keep in mind that requests are often reviewed by several technical agencies,
each of which must independently approve the project before the SRE grants
final authorization. The fact that you are aware that your counterpart at one
of the technical agencies has approved the project does not mean that all of
the relevant technical agencies have given their approval and that the SRE has
issued its final authorization.

SRE's final authorization will be granted through a
diplomatic note that is formally sent to the Embassy. The Embassy will then
send the permit to you by mail, email or fax. You should not begin your
research until you have received formal authorization from SRE. Any research
that is not authorized by a diplomatic note from SRE is not authorized by the
Mexican government.

Deadlines and Applications

The U.S. Embassy cannot accept incomplete applications from
scientists or submit partial application packages to SRE. All paperwork must be submitted in Spanish,
or English and Spanish to be considered complete.

The Government of Mexico requires that applications for
marine research (including land-based activities like sea turtle conservation)
be submitted 180 days in advance of the start of the proposed research trip to
Mexico. Marine research is any research involving physical, chemical or
biological marine resources, whether or not such research is conducted from a
vessel or other at-sea platform.

All other kinds of research applications must be submitted
90 days in advance of the start of the proposed research trip to Mexico.

To allow time for the Embassy to process permit requests,
applicants should submit their information to the Embassy at least two weeks
before the date on which the application must be submitted to the SRE – i.e.,
194 days prior to planned marine research in Mexico and 104 days prior to any
other planned research in Mexico..

Depending on the kind of research to be performed, you may
have to pay various fees, such as a collection fee, aircraft landing fees,
aircraft parking fees, and a fee for export/import of biological samples and/or
specimens. SRE determines these fees, which may vary from project to project,
shortly before the starting date of the proposed research.

Please use the
appropriate form for the type of research you intend to perform and submit with
your application. Note: INEGI permits have a maximum validity of six months. You are allowed to apply for a six-month
extension, but must do so by submitting an updated INEGI's form forty days
before the ending date of your valid permit.

Vessels and aircrafts must also submit a form
for Temporary Use of Radio Frequencies from
the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT).

Timing: Allow extra time to accommodate unforeseen delays. Permits may be granted at the last minute, or
even after the start date of the proposed research. Submitting your applications well in advance
of the deadlines will help avoid research disruptions but is no guarantee
against delays.

Changes
and Amendments: Any changes or submission
of new information must be made formally through the Embassy. Please be aware that amendments often cause a
delay in getting the requested approval. It is therefore advisable to prepare
the initial application carefully in order to minimize the need for changes. To
avoid confusion, please ensure that the dates of your research are the same in
all documents submitted.

Absence
of the Chief Scientist: Permits are
personal and non-transferable, and requests for transferring field
responsibilities can result in delays and denials. If the chief scientist will not be in the
field during the entire research period, we strongly advise that you designate
a co-chief scientist at the beginning of the process.

Mexican
Collaboration: Joint U.S.-Mexico
scientific collaboration is well regarded. The likelihood of approval of applications for
research permits increases for projects that include Mexican scientists as
partners. Researchers may wish to find a
Mexican counterpart. Researchers who are
working with a Mexican counterpart must include a letter from the head of the collaborating
institution with the permit application.

Collecting
Specimens: When specifying the number of
specimens to be collected and/or exported, you must consider that the
Government of Mexico requires that a percentage of the total collected species
(approximately 40%) be deposited in a Mexican institution. Consider this percentage in your proposed
number of specimens to be collected. Collection of endangered species or collection
within any designated protected area is an issue of particular sensitivity. You should provide clear and compelling
justification for such collection in your research plan.

Submission
of Research Results: Research
permits are granted on the condition that scientists submit their research reports
in accordance with the deadlines stipulated in the research permit
authorization. This includes: five hard copies
of their preliminary and final research report, and a detailed report in
digital format of their scientific activities (in English and Spanish). Scientists are also required to submit copies
of all papers and published materials (including photographs, posters, videos,
etc.) resulting from the granted research. This information can be submitted on CDs
and/or DVDs. As with the research permit
application, this material must also be submitted through the U.S. Embassy. Failure to provide these reports may result in
the denial of future requests for the scientist and/or for their institutions.

Note:Please note that SRE requires all
paperwork (letters, forms, etc) to be submitted in Spanish.

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